FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have some questions for us?

FAQ

PASSPORT FAQ

No. Applications should be submitted through the nearest Jamaican Mission to the applicant.

No, it is only a requirement for persons who are unable to write.

Kingston – seven (7) working days Montego Bay – fourteen (14) working days Overseas applications (submitted through the Jamaican Missions) – twenty (20) working days Express Services Available from our Kingston Offices Next Day and Three working days

Contact the customer service section of the Passport Office for further information. The telephone nos. is as follows: 754-5249, 754-5092, 754-4675, 906-4402, 906-1497, 906-4329 or visit the office in person if it is convenient to you.

Original divorce decree or marriage certificate along with the birth certificate, expired passport, two photographs, one of which should be certified by the certifying official who signed the application form

Original marriage certificate, birth certificate, expired passport, two photographs. Married men need not present marriage certificates.

No. However, all children over the age of three years must make an appearance at the Immigration Office. If you reside in the rural areas, you may visit the nearest Divisional Office of the Jamaica Constabulary Force with the child, where the Immigration Officer examines the applications, then encloses the documents in a sealed envelope. You should not open the envelope. Thereafter, the application should be submitted to the Passport Office, 25 Constant Spring Road for processing. If you reside in the Corporate Area you should visit the Passport Office.

Yes, the Passport Office accepts the old as well as the new birth certificates.

Contact the Customer Service Section of the Passport Office for further information at the following telephone numbers: 754-5249/754-5092/754-4675/906-1497 or the nearest Jamaican Mission if overseas.

Police report Birth certificate Supplementary ID Two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form and the original marriage certificate where applicable.

Proof of citizenship: Original birth certificate or adoption certificate. For applicants born outside of Jamaica, a certificate of registration, naturalization or letter of certification or citizenship should be submitted. Proof of identity: Driver’s licence, voter’s ID or work/student ID subject to approval by the Passport Officer and two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form.

Original birth certificate or other proof of Jamaican Citizenship, expired passport, two photographs (one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form).

The CARICOM Passport is an official travel document that can be used for travel within and outside the Caribbean. It will now become the standard issue for the Jamaican passport.

The Jamaican passport is valid for ten years for an adult and five years for children 17 years and under.

Report it immediately to the nearest police station or to the Passport Office.

The introduction of the document will facilitate smoother processing of CARICOM nationals transiting the region. It is intended to foster a greater sense of community within the region and would be a tangible demonstration of one’s membership in the Caribbean family.

There are a number of persons including Justices of the Peace, School Principal, Bank Manager, Dentist, and Attorney-at-Law. See section 4.1 for a complete list.

It is needed to prove the identity of the applicant beyond a reasonable doubt.

Persons with a valid passport, who wish to have a CARICOM Passport, may do so. This will be treated as a renewal of your document, which means that the passport being renewed will be cancelled and returned where there is a valid visa. If you do not wish to change a valid passport you may continue to use it until it expires. Holders of the blue hand-written passports are being encouraged to apply for a CARICOM Passport, even if their current document is still valid.

The process, requirement and cost for obtaining the CARICOM passport will remain the same as was previously required.

CITIZENSHIP FAQ

Yes, Jamaica recognizes dual citizenship.

QUALIFICATION:- The applicant should have been granted an original Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship. PROCEDURE:- 1. A letter applying for a Certified Copy should be addressed to:- The Chief Executive Officer Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency 25c Constant Spring Road Kingston 10 The letter should state the Name, Address and File Reference Certificate number of the applicant. The applicant is required to state what has happened to the original Certificate of Citizenship and why the certified copy is required. 2. The letter should be accompanied by the following documents:- (i.) Recent Police Report on the status of Original Certificate; (ii.) A Certified Passport sized photograph of applicant; (iii.) Parent’s photo I.D. if applicant is a minor; (iv.) The appropriate fee (See fee structure below) 3. Compliant applications are processed within 5 working days . COST Applications submitted locally will attract a non-refundable fee of JMD$5000.00. Payment for local applications will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars. Fees for the various foreign currencies are accepted but are only applicable to applications submitted through the Jamaican High Commission Consulates/Embassies. The required costs are quoted as follows: USD$100.00; CAD$110.00; GBP£60.00; EUR€74.00

The processing time for citizenship s dependent on the category of the application:

Applications for Citizenship by Descent are processed within 25 working days

Applications for Citizenship by virtue of Marriage are prepared for submission to the Minister for approval within 24 months

Naturalization will be processed and prepared for submission to the Minister for approval within 24 months

Registration (Commonwealth citizens) will be processed and prepared for submission to the Minister for approval within 24 months

Registration (Minors) will be processed and prepared for submission to the Minister for approval within 24 months

At the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) located at 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10

Yes, we offer 15-day expedited services to local applicants for Citizenship by Descent

PICA will accept applications from: 1) ATTORNEYS 2) Persons authorized in writing by the parent of a minor who is entitled to citizenship by Descent

Currently, applications are accepted at 25 Constant Spring Road or at any Jamaican High Commission, Embassy or Consulate overseas.

No, only originals are to be submitted.

Laminated documents are not acceptable.

There is no waiting period for applicants to submit an application

Only Non-commonwealth nationals are required to do so.

Only if you are applying for Registration (Adult) and Naturalization

Close relatives, ie, parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters are NOT allowed to certify

Persons who claim to have been born in Jamaica but whose birth was never recorded can apply for a document to identify them as a citizen of Jamaica. This process is referred to as Citizenship in case of Doubt.

IMMIGRATION FAQ

An extension of stay is granted when non-Commonwealth and Commonwealth nationals enter the island and seek to alter their status for the purpose of work, study etc.

The process takes three (3) working days for applications submitted at PICA's Kingston office at 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10 and seven (7) working days for applications submitted at our office at Overton Plaza, 49 Union Street in Montego Bay.

No, however nationals of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Cayman Islands, Nigeria and the British Virgin Islands will need a visa.

Yes, however some nationals from non-Commonwealth countries are permitted to enter Jamaica for varying periods without a visa